Athletics of To-Day 1929

Classical Distances Before we think about form, therefore, we will consider this important question of schedule. Mussabini's figures are meant as a guide and represent no more than the average of running at the intermediate distances. Each runner may try to work to them, but must find th schedule that suits him best. There is the old adage that it is tt the pace that kills and not the dis– tance," which was put another way by a great American coach who used to be always telling his charges, " It isn't how far you run but how fast that matters." Judgment of pace, then, is the fundamental basis of successful miling, and that judgment can be acquired only by the constant u e of the stop watch in training, with a friend to time you over the 220, 440, 66o, 88o, r,320, r,540 and r,76o yards. The unusual checks at 220 and I,540 yards are suggested to give you a guide to your starting and finishing speeds. When once you have acquired the ability to assess your speed, learn what is your best pace and make use of that through the body of the race. Some men run an amazingly fast first 440 yards, and gradually lose on this through the next three– quarter mile. Others hold a sprint for forty or fifty yards to get a good pole po ition, preferably in the first three, without taking the lead. They then change quickly from the sprint to the normal distance stride and action and hang on to the man they have chosen as their pacemaker, provided his pace fits in with the preconceived time schedule. Second wind, which is probably due to the action of the heart and lungs adjusting themselves to the demands made upon them, generally comes in the second quart r mile, but this varies a lot with the individual. The third quart r is always the most trying, because it provides the crisis of the race when all the runners are watching for the fellow who is ''going to have a cut at it." If you look back to the table of great mile times on page 82 you will s e how often the third quarter is the slowest of th four. If you can hold to your schedule over it your hances of winning will incr as mat rially. Keep an even stride and pac , do not challenge unn ces arily, and do not take up ev ry chall nge that is offered. Read what